Steam vacuum finisher



Dec. 7, 1948. y kWL C, GLQVER, JR 2,455,755 4 f STEAM VACUUM FINISHER Filed Feb. 18, 1946` an gal/J A amer.

Patented Dec. 7, 1948 iWilliamCGlover, jr.; Kansas City, M0., assigner d i to Bill Gloverilncorpcrated, a corporation ofa Missouri i i Applicaties Februar-y 18, 1946, serial N0.64s,2s7 (ci. rss-6) solaims.

This invention relates to improvements in steam vacuum iinishers and refers more particularly to a device used in dry cleaning establishments subsequent to dry cleaning operations to give the garments a more fnished appearance.

The drycleaningiofgarments often causes the nap` or pile `off/the l fabric to become mussed,`

crushedor flattened-and tolose its original gloss. To reinstate the-ifabricto itsroriginal condition cleaners resort tomanyrltypesof nishing operations, perhapslthe most successful consisting in steaming the garmentsiand dryingout the `steam pan. `Beneath the `"screen or` perforated plate p and attached thereto by means of clips p I4 is a radiator made up of a plurality of lengths of steam pipegl] forming arcontinuous passageway for the steam from inletpipe I to outlet pipe l1.

Theinlet pipe I5 is joined to a steam supply Dine I8 by thereducer connection I9.

`Supported `onxvthe side of `the `pedestalnis a' steamseparator 2G into the bottom of which is nconnected a liquid draw-off line 2|.` Thedis` i charge pipe Il from the radiator or heating coil by `drawing air throughthefabric. i

The nisher hereinafter described provides a device "admirably adaptedto such purposesrsince the working surface to which the fabrics are `applied duringA steaming and dryingris `kept con-` stantlyiheated: i i i i An objectof `the inventionfthereforeisll to provide a steam vacuum finisher 'Whereinclive steamused forfnnishing fabrics `is rst passed through a coilor `radiator in heat exchange relation with the workingI surfaceof the finisher to maintain the surface `at a desired temperature and prevent objectionableicondensationiof the live steam admitted duringfthe finishing operi-4 Another Objectis to provide an' enlarged foraininous plate" or screen arranged above'a shallow pan into which steam`"isintroduced` anddis-` charged over anuextensivearea and through which drying air may be drawnafter thesteaming operation. i

Other and further objects will appear from the following description. i y

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the instant specification and is tobe read in conjunction therewith andlin which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views, 1 l n l Fig. l is a sectional elevational view offa iinisher embodying the features ofthe invention,

" Fig.\2 `is a fragmentary rear elevationof a portion of the steam separatorshowing' thereontrols for the steam and vacuum operations, and

Fig. 3 is a view taken along the line 3--3 in Fig. 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral IU designates a pedestal with an enlarged base Illa. On top of the pedestal is a shallow pan ll covered by a perforated plate or foraminous screen I2. i This plate or screen is centrally braced within the pan by a flanged web I3 running longitudinally of the l5 :is connected into the lower portion of the `separator at an elbow joint Ila. Into `the upper portion of separator 20 is connected a steam discharge pipe 2 2 branching to form the separate steam lines 23 and 24. In pipe 23` is interposed a valve 25` and in pipe 24 aivalve 2B. `The open` `discharge end 0f pipe 23 is beneath a baille 12T;

located `in `the pedestal end of pan ll. This baille comprises a box-like structure closed on all sides exceptuthe front so steam discharged `from the pipeis directed longitudinally of the pan.

Pipe 24 is connected into a vacuum injector de-` vice 28 which `also has an open connectionwith` the pan beneath the baille. Steam supplied to the injector through pipe 24 creates Vacuum con* ditions` within the pan and draws air down through the perforated plate or screen I2 cover`` ing `the pan. i

Controls for actuating valves 25 and 26 are lmanipulated from a tilting pedal 29 pivoted at` `pivotedarm` 33 is fastened a vertical rod 35 to "which are adjustably` attached by set screws `a l lower collar 36 and an upper collar 31.

has a depending bracket 38 to which is pivotedv Valve `26 a horizontal` arm 39.` The free end ofi the arm hasian eye or ring intol which is fitted the Vertical rodili. :In mounting this rod the collar 36iis positioned below the valve actuating arm `39. Valve 25 has an uprigh't`bracket4to which is pivoted a valve-actuating arm 4|. The free end of this arm likewise has an eye or ring through which the vertical actuating rod 35 passes. In the assembly of the control, collar 3l is located above the link at the end of actuating arm 4I. Extending horizontally from the front .of the pedestal is a loop-shaped frame 42 to which is laced a canvass garment catcher. A second pedal 43 pivoted at the front of the pedestal rotates rod 44 to operate a valve not shown which is connected into the upper part of the separator at plug 45 when a steam iron is used with the finisher. A steam iron plate 49 is provided at the rear of the pan on top of the pedestal.

When finishing garments the operator stands at the side of the nisher with his foot on tilting pedal 29. The garment or fabric to be finished is placed on the perforated top of the pan 'and steam is flushed through the fabric by pressing down on the pedal to the left of pivot 30. This tilts vertical lever 3| to the left moving link `32 horizontally to the left and depressing the lower end of rod 35. As rod 35 is lowered collar 31 depresses actuating arm 4I which in turn depresses the spring operating pin in valve 25 opening the valve and permitting steam to be discharged beneath baffle 21 through pipe 23.y The steam sweeps along the entire length of the pan and is discharged through the perforations in the top. When it is desired to follow the steam operation with an air-drying operation the operator steps on pedal 29 to the right of pivot 30. This moves upright lever 3l and link 32 to the right tilting arm 33 so vertical rod 35 is pushed upwardly. Collar 36 acts upon actuating arm 39 raising the operating pin of valve 26 and discharging steam through pipe 24 into injector 28. The steam injector imposes a vacuum upon the pan and drying air is drawn down through the fabric lying upon the perforated top of pan I I.

Since steam supplied to separator 20 is introduced through pipe I8 and circulates rst through radiator I5 the temperature within the pan and particularly the temperature of the perforated plate or screen covering the pan is maintained relatively high and above temperatures which cause objectionable condensation within the pan.

It is recognized that heretofore a steam radiator or heating coil has-been mounted in pans of dry cleaners finishing machines but when so used the coils are supported in the lower portion of the pan either resting upon the bottom of the pan or upon braces or brackets aiiixed to the bottom of the pan. In the instant device the steam radiator or heating coils have been purposely clipped or attached in heat exchange re1ation with the foraininous screen or perforated plate covering the pan so the heat will be concentrated at the upper surface where serious and objectionable condensation occurs. Discharge pipe 2l for removing condensate from the separator is connected into a suitable trap arrangement not shown.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the insubcombnations. This is contemplated by and .is

Within the scope of the claims..

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. A steam vacuum nisher comprising a pedestal, a shallow pan supported thereby, a foraminous sheet covering the pan, a heating coil within the pan in heat exchange relation with said sheet, a nozzle for injecting an open steam supply into the pan beneath the foraminous sheet, a steam vacuum injector connected with the pan for imposing vacuum conditions on the pan, a steam separator carried by the pedestal and pipe connections for introducing steam to the separator through the coil, separate steam supply lines from the separator to the nozzle and from the separator to the vacuum injector, and controls optionally operable for separately delivering steam to the nozzle and vacuum injector.

2. A steam vacuum nisher as in claim 1 in which the optional controls comprise steam connections `betvreen the separator and nozzle and between the separator and vacuum injector, a valve in each steam connection, an actuating pedal common to the valves and movable in either direction from a neutral position, and linkage from the pedal to the valves adapted to open only one valve when the pedal is moved in one direction from neutral and to Open only the other valve when the pedal is moved in the other direction from neutral.

3. A steam vacuum nisher comprising a pedestal, a shallow pan supported thereby, a foraminous sheet covering the pan, a heating coil within the pan in heat exchange relationship with said sheet, a nozzle for injecting an open steam supply into the pan beneath ,the foramiuous sheet, a steam vacuum injector connected to the pan for imposing vacuum conditions on the pan, an actuating device common to the nozzle and the injector movable in either direction from a neutral position, and valve means controlled by the actuating device to supplysteam only to the nozzle when the device is moved in one direction from neutral andto supply steam only to the injector when the device is moved in the other direction from neutral. v

WILLIAM C. GLOVER, JR.

` RFRENCES CITED They following referencesy are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Glover Nov.. 218 11944 

